batavia

Press release:

As the volunteer lists keep growing, Progressive Democratic Congressional candidate Nicholas Stankevich has opened his first district office. The work space is located at 56 Harvester Ave. in Batavia, Genesee County. Renovated from a former industrial work space, the Stankevich campaign has scheduled an Open House and the official opening to be Thursday, Dec. 21st, from 6:30 to 8:30 pm.

“Our intention is to provide a great place for our volunteers to work on our campaign as we begin the important process of taking back the 27th Congressional District,” Stankevich said. “We will win this election only with the hard work of our volunteers and pressing the important issues that greatly influence the families of this district.”

The office is housed in the old Massey-Harris plant. Designed as a workspace for volunteers, the office will be used on a continual basis to house volunteer activities for the Stankevich campaign.

“This office is really what this campaign is all about,” Stankevich said. “Our district used to be full of manufacturing jobs like those that were housed in this facility. Today, we have to develop 21st century jobs, educate our young people, train them in new technologies and opportunities that provide a strong livable wage. That is how we will bring back our communities in Western New York.”

Office Hours are daily, but dependent on the volunteer schedule. The Open House is a great way to grab a cup of coffee with the candidate to discuss the issues of the 27th Congressional District.

Press release:

Following on the heels of a successful art show at GO ART! last month, a few employees/moms at Batavia High School (who will be remaining anonymous) decided that they wanted to make sure that the rest of Eian Windham's artwork sold out.  

Eian has had a challenging couple of years and these moms felt that this show/sale, located in the BHS library, would bring exposure to his outstanding photography and would give him the happiness that he deserves.  

These BHS employees who refer to themselves as  Moms4Good only needed to ask the BHS administration once and they were supportive and completely on board!

The public is invited to stop into BHS  anytime during the next two weeks to purchase some really spectacular photography. All of it is mounted and some are framed but all is reasonably priced and would be a perfect holiday gift!  

This Thursday, Dec. 14th, the public is also invited to a double treat. The BHS Winter concert, starting at 7 p.m. will be followed by a reception and art sale.

"Most of the prints are under $20 and they are really gorgeous," says one of the organizers. 

The event will be held in the library all day on the 14th, but the reception will be after the concert at 8:30 p.m..  The concert begins at 7 p.m., but arrive early for the best parking and seating.

Tom Redband, an entrepreneurship teacher at the high school, has opened this opportunity up to his students and they have agreed to offer their services to set up, collect money and even order prints after they are sold out. 

"What a great way to start off this magical holiday season with some beautiful music and artwork to benefit a great young man," says an organizer.

Submitted photos and press release:

The students at St. Joseph Catholic School took part in one of the largest learning events in history! More than 100 million students in 180 countries participated in the Hour of Code during Computer Science Education week which was Dec. 4^th – 10^th.

The kindergarten through fifth-grade classes spent their time in the computer lab with their technology teacher, Mrs. Paserk, directing robots, “Switch and Glitch,” through different scenarios to save their captain.

The middle school students worked on the “Robot Rattle” activity, programming a robot to make different movements to complete tasks.

Although these activities may seem fun to these students, what many don’t realize is that they are gaining problem-solving skills, logic and creativity. Mrs. Paserk will continue to work with her students on coding throughout the school year.

The public is invited to a City of Batavia Downtown Revitaliation Initiative Public Workshop from 6:30 to 9 p.m. on Thursday (Dec. 14). It will be held at City Hall, One Batavia City Centre.

The question is "What Brings You Downtown?" and your input is sought on the future of Downtown Batavia, which has been awarded $10 million from the state for this initiative. The initiative's Local Planning Committee would like to know what you love about downtown and what amenities would bring you there more often.

Residents, businesses, property owners and anyone with an interest in revitalizing Downtown Batavia is encouraged to attend the workshop. 

A 17-year-old Basom resident admitted in County Court today to threatening to shoot troopers and deputies during an incident on the Tonawanda Indian Reservation on Sept. 30, and of trying to seriously hurt or kill a person with a motor vehicle in the City of Batavia on Aug. 28.

Isaac Abrams entered guilty pleas to making a terrorist threat, a Class D felony, and reckless endangerment in the first degree, also a Class D felony.

There is no sentencing cap on his possible prison term, which is a maximum of seven years, but the sentences on both charges would run concurrently, according to the plea agreement.

Abrams was being held in Genesee County Jail on $25,000 bail, but after listening to both attorneys on his bail status, County Court Judge Charles Zambito agreed to release Abrams under the supervision of Genesee Justice with a curfew of 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. He must continue to reside at his mother's residence on Skye Road during the term of his release or get permission from the court to move.

First Assistant District Attorney Melissa Cianfrini argued that Abrams has demonstrated a poor record of obeying the lawful commands of police officers, first in the Aug. 28 incident in the city and then during his confrontation with troopers and deputies Sept. 30.

His attorney, Vanessa Guite, said that Abrams has been successfully participating in Alcoholics Anonymous, completed his high school education while confined, and she added that that her client's second arrest was a real wake-up call for him.

"You can see from his demeanor in court that he is taking this deadly serious," Guite said.

In October, Abrams became a father. He has yet to see his baby, Guite said.

While out of jail, Guite said, "He will be fully engaged in taking care of his baby."

Details of the incident that led to Abrams' arrest in the City of Batavia on Aug. 28 are not available. There was no press release at the time of his arrest and today the Batavia PD computer system is down so the information isn't available. (Correction: There was a press release, but Abrams' name was redacted from the initial release by Batavia PD, so we couldn't find the prior publication.)

Abrams was originally charged with three counts of attempted assault in the first degree, along with the reckless endangerment charge, obstructing governmental administration, 2nd, and harassment, 2nd.

UPDATE: At 5:46 p.m., Aug. 29, Batavia PD responded to a disturbance at Burger King at 230 West Main St., Batavia, where a person was reportedly struck by a vehicle. Abrams reportedly fled the scene and was apprehended on West Main Street.

His plea satisfies all six charges along with any pending traffic tickets.

As for the Oct. 30 incident, Deputy Andrew Hale handled the case and Hale said today that the arrest was the culmination of about a week of deputies dealing with Abrams.

He said there was an incident at a gas station on the reservation where Abrams allegedly got into a fight with a patron and the owner of the gas station asked Hale to arrest Abrams, whom he said was previously barred from the property, for trespass.

There was another incident, Hale said, where Abrams allegedly hit an employee at a smoke shop. The State Police handled that incident.

Hale sought an arrest warrant for Abrams and received it Oct. 30.

That day, there was a traffic accident on Route 77 and traffic was redirected down Meadville Road. According to Hale, Abrams and his friends, whom Hale said had all been drinking, decided to set up a roadblock and charge a toll for motorists coming onto the reservation. 

Troopers responded and Abrams and his friends challenged the troopers to a fight. Hale was notified and he responded because he had the warrant for Abrams.

Upon his arrival, Abrams was positioned behind cars, near a house and a tree line.

According to Hale, Abrams yelled, "You want to play with guns. I'll play with guns."

He also threatened to shoot Hale and Deputy Lonnie Nati.

He then started to reach into a vehicle and Hale said he warned Abrams not to reach for a gun. At that point, Abrams went into the residence and Hale and Nati circled around to the back of the house. When Abrams came out, there was a brief confrontation and then Hale and Nati managed to take Abrams into custody.

No weapons were recovered at the scene, but the house was not searched because the deputies did not have a search warrant for the residence.

Batavia got its first real snow accumulation of the season yesterday and last night but the birds still showed up this morning in our backyard feeders for their morning meal.

There's more snow on the way. A winter storm watch is in effect for tonight starting at 7 p.m. and lasting until Wednesday afternoon. Heavy, blowing snow is possible. The National Weather Service warns that travel may be difficult with more than 10 inches of snowfall possible.

Winds could gust up to 45 mph.

The forecast is for little precipitation today but a low-pressure system crosses the region bringing periods of widespread accumulation. Several weak systems cross the area in the following days with an additional chance of snow.

James J. Spivey, 19, of Oak Street, Batavia, is charged with robbery, 2nd. Spivey is accused of forcefully taking property from another person at 2:25 p.m., Oct. 25, while on Park Avenue, Batavia. He was jailed without bail.

William G. Schultz, 43, of Evans Street, Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of stolen property, 5th. Schultz was allegedly found in possession of stolen property -- the property is not specified -- while at 1 W. Main St., Batavia. The original incident was reported at 11:46 p.m. Oct. 6 at a residence on Union Street, Batavia. Schultz was jailed on $2,500 bail.

Cameron Robert Lochren, 23, of Broadway Road, Darien, is charged while driving while ability impaired by drugs, driving without headlines, and driver's view obstructed. Lochren was stopped at 12:58 a.m. Friday on Railroad Street, Alexander, by Deputy Patrick Reeves. Lochren was jailed on $1,250 bail or $2,500 bond.

Robert David Cummings III, 31, of Akron Road, Pembroke, is charged with criminal mischief, 4th. Cummings is accused of damaging the property of another person at 3 p.m. Friday at a location on Phelps Road, Pembroke. 

Amie Lin Santiago, 31, of Hindsburg Road, Albion, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Santiago was stopped for an alleged traffic violation at 1:47 a.m. Saturday on Roberts Road, Alabama, by Deputy Jeremy McClellan.

Alex A. Applegate, 21, of Upper Holley Road, Holley, is charged with DWI and moving from lane unsafely. Applegate was charged following an investigation into a motor-vehicle accident Saturday on Route 237 in Byron. The accident was investigated by Deputy Travis DeMuth.

Gerald Jacob Farrell, 24, of Nunda-Byersville Road, Nunda, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or more, and failure to keep right. Farrell was stopped at 12:28 a.m. Sunday on Ellicott Street Road, Bethany, by Deputy Jeremy McClellan. 

A car has struck a pole in the area of the CVS Pharmacy on West Main Street, Batavia.

No word on injuries.

City fire and Mercy EMS dispatched.

UPDATE 10:48 p.m.: Three occupants. Mercy EMS requested to the scene for patient evaluation. 

A driver is complaining of back pain after his car struck a tree at Lehigh Avenue and Creek Road, Batavia.

Town of Batavia fire and Mercy EMS dispatched.

UPDATE 5:01 p.m.: One patient transported to UMMC for evaluation.

Carter McClellan, 15 months old, wasn't too happy during his first visit with Santa today at Adam Miller Toy and Bicycle.

Santa visited Adam Miller so the store could provide a free visit and a chance to get pictures with Santa for customers who came in the store today.

Penelope Ortiz, 18 months, below, was also a little unsure of the Santa thing, but didn't cry.

Chase McClellan, 7, was quite ready to let Santa know what tops his Christmas wish list.

These four Rampart players and their friend wanted to get their picture posted on The Batavian today, so we're accommodating their request.

They are Maggio Bucholz, Champ Buchholz, Sheldon Siverling, Domenic Viele, and Preston Viele.

Bill Hume popped up in Falleti Ice Arena today with a "pop up store" for Foxprowl.

It's the second time he's set up a retail location in Falleti and he said later this month he will do what he's calling a "flash store" inside Record Revival on East Main Street.

Earlier this year, Hume shut down his permanent retail store at Jackson and Main, Batavia, but sees the trend for "pop up stores," which are common in metropolitan areas, as something he would like to see catch on Batavia.

The Genesee Symphony Orchestra performs its annual Christmas concert tomorrow (Sunday) at 4 p.m. at St. Mary's Church in Batavia.

The program includes "Dance of the Tumblers" from Snow Maiden by Rimsky-Korsakov, Canadian Brass Christmas, "The Snowman," by Howard Blake and narrated by Laurence Tallman,  (top photo), Holiday Favorites with a special guest vocalist: "It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas," "(There’s no place like) Home for the Holidays," "White Christmas," "Santa Claus is Coming to Town," "Sleigh Ride," and "Christmas Festival."

Tickets will be available at the door.

Fifty children from Genesee County got a chance to buy presents for other family members today during "Shop with a Cop" at Walmart in Batavia.

Officers from Batavia PD, the Sheriff's Office, and State Police participated.

A grant from Walmart paid for $100 gift cards for 30 children and donations from the City of Batavia Police Benevolent Association, Genesee County Deputy Sheriff’s Association, City of Batavia CSEA members, the City’s “Jeans for Friday” program, Department of Public Works (AFSCME) Union, and H.E. Turner & Co. Inc. Funeral Home of Batavia & Bergen raised additional funds so another 20 children could participate. 

Once children completed their shopping, members of Batavia PD's Explorer program wrapped presents and the children got a chance to visit with Santa.

A caller reports seeing flames at the construction site at 4187 Veterans Memorial Drive, Batavia.

Town of Batavia fire dispatched to investigate.

UPDATE 5:39 p.m.: First responder: "Confirmed. Looks like a small fire."

UPDATE 5:40 p.m.: Fire must be out. Town assignment back in service.

UPDATE 9:45 p.m.: Another fire reported at the same location.

UPDATE 9:53 p.m.: Town of Batavia assignment back in service.

A motor-vehicle accident, believed to be with injuries, is reported on West Main Street Road, in front of Taco Bell.

City fire and Mercy EMS dispatched.

UPDATE 6:09 p.m.: Police believe the Nissan, which was eastbound, started a left-hand turn into the Tops parking lot and then the driver changed his or her mind but failed to negotiate fully back into its own lane of traffic. The Nissan struck a car, front left fender to front left fender, that was stopped to make a left-hand turn into the shopping center on the south side of West Main. The Nissan then careened into a third vehicle. Two people were transported to UMMC for evaluation.

Press release:

Renowned soprano Emily Hellenbrook, who is a native of Alexander, will be the featured soloist at the First Presbyterian Church of Batavia this Sunday, Dec. 10.

The service begins at 10:45 a.m. and will also feature the Women's Choir, congregational singing, and a message by Rev. Dr. Roula Alkhouri.

Join us at this special time of the year as we celebrate the advent of Christ's earthly ministry. We are located at 300 E. Main St. in the City of Batavia.

Isaac D. Abrams is indicted for the crime of making a terrorist threat, a Class D felony. It is alleged that on Sept. 30 in the Town of Alabama that he acted with "intent to intimidate or coerce a civilian population, influence the policy of a unit of government by intimidation or coercion, or affect the conduct of a unit of government by murder, assassination, kidnapping, threatened to commit or caused to be committed specified offenses": assault on a police officer, assault in the first degree, and/or murder in the second degree, and thereby caused a reasonable expectation or fear of the imminent commission of such offenses. Abrams allegedly threatened several NYS troopers and Genesee County Sheriff's deputies with deadly violence by means of a firearm. In count two, the defendant is accused of resisting arrest, a Class A misdemeanor. In count three, Abrams is accused of trespass, a violation, for entering or remaining unlawfully in The Rez Smoke Shop and Gas Mart on Bloomingdale Road.

Tony R. Graber is indicted on four counts of falsifying business records in the first degree, each a Class E felony. It is alleged that Graber, with intent to defraud, made or caused false entries in the business records of an enterprise in the Town of Batavia -- Pawn King -- regarding the ownership of items on four different dates in 2016: on March 23, a Husky Wrench Set; on March 25, a Husky Model 20-piece Combination Wrench Set; on March 29, Milwaukee Drill Bits/Blades; and on April 2, a Craftsman Tap and Die Set. In addition, Graber is indicted on four counts of criminal possession of stolen property in the fifth degree, Class A misdemeanors. On the misdemeanors, Graber is said to have allegedly knowlingly possessed stolen property (the items cited previously) with intent to benefit himself or a person other than the owner or to impede recovery of the items by the owner.

Destin D. Rouse is indicted for the crime of third-degree grand larceny, a Class D felony. It is alleged that on Jan. 10 in the Town of Batavia that Rouse stole property having a value in excess of $3,000. He is accused of stealing $4,209.76 worth of merchandise from Walmart.

Timothy M. Weinstein is indicted for the crime of aggravated family offense, a Class E felony. It is alleged that on April 7 in the City of Batavia that the defendant commited or attempted to commit second-degree criminal contempt against a person of the same family or household as the defendant: By being in the presence of the victim in violation of an order of protection. In counts two and three, he is accused of the same crime twice on April 29. In counts four and five, Weinstein is accused of the same crime on May 1 and May 2, respectively. In Special Information filed by the District Attorney, Weinstein is accused of having been convicted of third-degree assault, a Class A misdemeanor, on March 23 and this was against a member of the same family or household as the defendant and this was within five years previous to the crimes alleged in the indictment.